Heavy police deployment, barricades restrict entry to Jantar Mantar; several protesters detained

New Delhi turned into a fortress on Gandhi Jayanti due to heavy police deployment and barricading at Jantar Mantar, restricting the entry of people attempting to protest against the conduct of the Election Commission (EC).

Prohibitory orders were enforced under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in the Parliament Street subdivision, where the protest site is located. The order restricts public meetings, assembly of five or more persons, carrying firearms, banners, placards, lathis, spears, swords, sticks, or brickbats, shouting slogans, making speeches, and holding processions, demonstrations, or dharnas. Section 163 was imposed on the entire subdivision except for the actual protest site, where demonstrations were allowed until 5 p.m. with permission.

However, entry to the protest site was blocked, preventing protesters from reaching the area.

Hundreds of Delhi Police, CAPF, and RAF personnel blocked the two main entry points to Jantar Mantar: one from Sansad Marg and the other from the Kerala House side. Buses and police PCR vans added to the multi-layered security measures set up to obstruct the protesters.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation announced that entry and exit gates were closed at 12 stations, including those in the immediate vicinity of the protest site such as Patel Chowk, Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, and Central Secretariat. Interchange facilities remained available at all such stations except New Delhi.

The police detained more than 500 protesters, including former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi.